HELP ME... Choose a fingerboard!

[KoreyD]

Hey Master Ballers, I'm about to put in a special order for a Axis SS, and I'M GIDDY!!! The attached pic is close to what I want, however, I'm going hardtail, and MM90's in cream! Where I'm torn is in fingerboard choice. I was all set to go rosewood, as that's what I've grown used to on my other 2 guitars. The maple looks great with what I'm ordering though- so I'm torn! So for those of you with multiple, similar EBMM guitars, what are your thoughts on tone/feel differences between the two fingerboards. I know this will come down to my personal choice, but I'd love anyone's thoughts, if they'd like to share.

THANKS!!

 

[whitestrat]

I have 2 Silo 20ths. One in maple, and one in RW. in terms of response and feel, I have to say the maple is my favourite. But honestly, after plugging in, I can hardly hear any differences. They sound almost the same to me. But the player feedback I get fom the guitar is more interactive with the maple.

So, I'd say: MAPLE!!!!

 

[robelinda2]

Maple baby!!!!! I've got that guitar on my wish list too, ASS maple MM90 matching, hardtail.

 

[KoreyD]

Thanks for the input guys! I'm leaning more and more that way myself. I believe the maple used on the top and neck of the guitar I pictured, are considered standard, or is that an upgrade? The pic I posted is from an ebay auction up right now, and the price and description make it seem that this is the "standard" quality you get from EBMM. These guitars are an amazing value! Not to mention the finest playing instrument I've come across. I got my Stingray after my PRS, and I almost instantly knew that I had to get a EBMM 6 string someday - that day has come!!!!

Here's the auction on the Black Cherry Axis...
New Ernie Ball MusicMan Axis Black Cherry Guitar w/OHSC - eBay (item 270225137192 end time Apr-12-08 01:09:39 PDT)

 

[TNT]

Korey,

The pic speaks for itself!!!!

Oh yeah baby - "maple" all the waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

 

[fsmith]

I prefer the rosewood, that's what I have on all of mine. I've had a couple with maple and sold them all. Your mileage may vary.

 

[NorM]

I have 2 Silo 20ths. One in maple, and one in RW. in terms of response and feel, I have to say the maple is my favourite. But honestly, after plugging in, I can hardly hear any differences. They sound almost the same to me. But the player feedback I get fom the guitar is more interactive with the maple.

So, I'd say: MAPLE!!!!

I wish to echo these sentiments exactly!

Just remember to wash your hands before you play.

 

[lumberjack]

I would agree with the rest of the guys. Go MAPLE!

P.S. I noticed ya said you were going to go with cream MM90's. When ordering from EBMM, you don't have a choice of pickup, knob or tuner colour. They have a method for choosing colour, but I don't know what it is. For guitars with pickguards, if you choose a white pickguard you get white pickup covers and knobs. If you choose black ya get black pickup covers and knobs. At least that's the rule of thumb I've noticed.

Scott

 

[RobW]

Maple

MAPLE

 

[mb99zz]

I purchased a Black Cherry Burst ASS hardtail with RW fretboard and matching headstock in November that should be here any day now. I had a really hard time deciding between maple and rosewood. So, I can relate to your delima. I thought maple looked better, but I went back to rosewood in the end. I know this has been debated countless times here, but to me the Rosewood felt better in my hands.

I'll post pix of my ASS when it gets here. Maybe that will help you decide if you can wait that long

 

[candid_x]

I flip flop back and forth, swearing that my sensual sounding rosewood is tonal nirvana, then getting lost in the sassy snap of the maple board. They're both great, each does what it does. I think the maple cuts through a mix more clearly when playing it at lower volumes, while rosewood thickens the sauce.

 

[alf cockle]

maple vs rosewood

Hi.I have 2 axis sports..one with mm90/rosewood,and one with HB*s,maple.I would go with that setup with those pickups..the mm90s can be bright.

 

[fogman]

Most of the time I say maple for the Axis, but for this one these pics make me say rosewood!!!
Get some black covers and knobs!

 

[fogman]

oh yes, and welcome to the forum!!!

 

[mb99zz]

Well, Pete just confirmed that this is my Axis Super Sport. So, here's another RW model to look at Oh man...I can't wait to get this in my hands

 

[spychocyco]

I've always preferred rosewood, but my Axis has won me over to maple.

That said, the black cherry burst ASS that I will order one day, at this point in my head, has a rosewood board. Lot of help I am.

 

[Headstock]

Rosewood.

 

[Astrofreq]

Rosewood for sure with Black covers/knobs. That makes me even wish they offered Ebony fretboards. Can you imagine how brutal that would look? Somebody photoshop that.

 

[KoreyD]

Wow, thanks for all the input guys!! This is a great forum. Well, I have the envelope, and the winner is...
ROSEWOOD by a nose!! I placed the order today.

Scott, you're right about the pick up covers and nobs. AJ at EB told Bo at Wild West that the optional colors are for sale at a good price. Bo at Wild West ordered them up and is having their luthier install them free of charge. Great shop, great service.

Fogman, thanks for the welcome and the pics. The others that posted pics as well. I guess I should have posted before I went through EVERY PAGE of the pic forum. Not many Black Cherry's in that 173 page thread! It was fun anyways though. I wanna know how some of you guys afford so many guitars?!?! I need to win a lottery!!

Anyways, these pics confirm my decision. I was putting looks aside and going for play over show, but I'm sure either would be sweet. Hey, look at it this way, my next EB will have a maple neck!

Thanks again everyone. I'll post some pics in June!!!

 

[TNT]

Wait Kory,

Isn't there an "appeals" process that we need to go through first!!